# Accident 20250115000759A: William R Mcwethy STOL CH750, Byron, IL, January 15, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 15, 2025, 10:30 local time
- Place: Byron, IL
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.1986° N, 89.2904° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1986&lon=-89.2904&mi=10
- Aircraft: N749WJ, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N749WJ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: William R Mcwethy STOL CH750 (registry code 05631ZT, https://openairdocs.org/model/william-r-mcwethy-stol-ch750) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG (registry code 99999, https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WILLIAM R MCWETHY STOL CH750
- Reported engine: AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 703 total, 542 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN25LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA078) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250115000759A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON JANUARY 15, 2025, AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 AM CDT, AIRCRAFT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ DEPARTED FROM C73 DIXON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT EN ROUTE TO 1C8 COTTONWOOD AIRPORT IN ROCKFORD, IL UNDER VFR CONDITIONS WITH OVER 10 MILES OF VISIBILITY AND WINDS FROM 240 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS. WHILE CRUISING AT 1,800 FEET MSL, THE PILOT NOTICED THE IGNITION KEY FALLING OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE PILOT MADE THE DECISION TO RESEAT THE KEY. IN THE ATTEMPT TO RESEAT THE KEY, THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY MOVED IT TO THE "OFF" POSITION, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE ENGINE, THE KEY BROKE INSIDE THE IGNITION, PREVENTING A RESTART. WITH NO POWER AVAILABLE, THE PILOT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD NEAR BYRON, IL. THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED DAMAGE UPON LANDING.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN25LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA078), Jan 15, 2025: Zenith Stol CH750 (N749WJ), Byron, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot inadvertently moved the ignition key to the off position and broke the key, which resulted in a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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